£11m each for Bristol and Southampton universities

Bristol and Southampton universities have received £11m each in government funding for research into semiconductor technologies under the government’s £1 billion support scheme for the UK semiconductor industry.

Southampton will focus on silicon photonics. The support will “unite leading UK entrepreneurs and researchers, together with a network of support to improve the commercialisation of semiconductors and deliver a step-change in the silicon photonics industry,” says the university’s Professor Graham Reed.

Bristol will focus on “power conversion of wind energy, high-temperature applications, device and packaging, and improving the efficiency of semiconductor device manufacture,” says the university’s Professor Martin Kuball.

The government said it is allocating a further £4.8m for 11 semiconductor skills projects across the UK.

“This investment marks a crucial step in advancing our ambitions for the semiconductor industry, with these centres helping bring new technologies to market in areas like net zero and AI,” says Saqib Bhatti, minister for tech and the digital economy, “this isn’t just about fostering growth and creating high-skilled jobs, it’s about positioning the UK as a hub of global innovation, setting the stage for breakthroughs that have worldwide impact.”

Each £11 million site will help convert scientific findings into business realities. They will support promising research and projects, offering researchers access to state-of-the-art prototyping technology essential for testing their complex designs, and nurturing early-stage companies. This includes empowering spin-outs with training, workshops, and vital industry contacts, ensuring they are fully equipped for when their products are market-ready

The funding package comes as part of the UK’s semiconductor strategy, which was published last year and promises £1 billion over 10 years.

The Bristol and Southampton semiconductor research hubs have been announced on the one-year anniversary of the creation of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).